Evangelism & Church Health Consultant Northwest Baptist Convention “LOVE Came Down” (John 3:13-18) Speaker: Bruce F. Sloan Evangelism & Church Health Consultant Northwest Baptist Convention Vancouver, Washington

Dr. Karl Menninger “Love is the medicine for the sickness of the world.” So said noted psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger. He summarized his therapeutic approach this way: “Love cures. It cures those who give it and it cures those who receive it.”

JOHN 3:13-15 (nkjv) 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:16-17 (nkjv) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

JOHN 3:18 (nkjv) 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT Moses meditated on the Law… Mohammed brandished a sword… Buddha gave personal counsel… Confucius offered wise sayings… HOWEVER, only JESUS provides an atonement for the sins of the world.

1. God’s PROMISES fulfilled “…He who came down from Heaven…” (John 3:13)

1 Chronicles 16:14-16 (ncv)  14 He is the Lord our God. His laws are for all the world. 15 He will keep his agreement forever; he will keep his promises always. 16 He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham and the promise he made to Isaac.

ISAIAH 7:14 (niv) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

2. SALVATION made possible “…the world through him might be saved…” (John 3:17)

Joseph Stowell “Let’s face it.  While not exclusive in His mercy, Jesus is exclusive in His claim that He is the only solution for our sin problem, and the only way to God, and that He is God!  Jesus is the central issue that separates me from Hindus, Muslims, Jews, New Age adherents, and the advocates of any other religion.”  The Trouble with Jesus, p. 17.

PSALM 37:38-40 (niv) 38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. 39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

JOHN 10:9-11 (esv) 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

ROMANS 5:7-8 (nkjv) 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Our RESPONSE is essential “…He who believes in Him is not condemned…” (John 3:18)

PSALM 33:12-14 (ncv) 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his very own.  13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees every person.  14 From his throne he watches all who live on earth.

JOHN 12:45-47 (esv) 45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

ROMANS 10:11-13 (niv) 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

4. Our PROCLAMATION is natural “…they spread the word…” (Luke 2:17-18, 20)

LUKE 2:16-18 (niv) 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

ISAIAH 63:7 (ncv)  7 I will tell about the Lord's kindness and praise him for everything he has done. I will praise the Lord for the many good things he has given us and for his goodness to the people of Israel. He has shown great mercy to us and has been very kind to us.

JOHN 13:34-35 (niv) 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

MATTHEW 28:19-20 (niv) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

NOW WHAT? Accept the PROMISES of God being fulfilled in Jesus Christ Salvation (from Satan, sin & self) is now possible through Jesus Christ Respond today by FAITH—placing your trust in Christ alone OUR MISSION -- Tell “your story” of God’s redeeming love within your life